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It can be caused by time and exposure to sunlight, but more often than not, a cloudy finish on your dining table is caused by mixing different types of cleaners and polishes. What might look like cloudy wax buildup actually is the wax softening and separating. Using cleaners that just soften the surface of the wax are the main culprits. Setting hot dishes on the table, having too much moisture in the air or having conditions that are too dry can all cause the wax to lose its shine. Removing the cloudy layer of wax and replacing it with a fresh layer will get your table shining again.

Soak a clean, soft rag in mineral spirits.

Wipe the cloudy area with the cloth, using long strokes that match the grain of the wood. The wax finish should start to look hazy and dull as it is being removed. Work in small sections if there is a large area of cloudiness to be removed.

Dry the area with a separate clean, soft rag.

Repeat Steps 1, 2 and 3 at least two times on the same area, using a clean rag each time so the wax is removed, not just spread around.

Continue Steps 1 through 4 until the entire cloudy surface of the table has been cleaned with mineral spirits, then dried with a clean rag.

Things You Will Need

Mineral spirits

Clean, soft rags

Tip

Use very fine steel wool, between 0 and 0000, to remove old cloudy wax if a soft rag is not doing the job.

Warning

Don't use any type of rag or material that could scratch the finish underneath the wax, such as paper towels or bath towels.

Choose Citation Style

Jones, Carlye. (2018, December 10). How to Remove the Cloudy Finish on a Dining Room Table. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/remove-cloudy-finish-dining-room-table-59044.html

Jones, Carlye. "How to Remove the Cloudy Finish on a Dining Room Table" last modified December 10, 2018. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/remove-cloudy-finish-dining-room-table-59044.html

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